When the Moon Hits Your Eye... Burda 7822 Young Fashion Teen Jumpsuit

I'm sure you can just imagine L's face!

At the fabric store, the cute Alexander Henry print Tsukiyo sleeping owls were what you saw --- and we thought the oriental style print would be a good pairing with the slightly oriental style pleated legs of View B 7822.

I did add 1 3/4 inches to the middle above the waist adjustment line and an extra inch at the shoulder. If I were to make it again, I would move and combine that inch to 2 3/4 and then shorten that same amount at the leg length adjustment line to get that cute length.

The problem with 7822 is not the pattern itself, but finding the right fabric. You need a solid (always take a cue from the pattern photo - if Burda shows a solid, stay away from a larger print.), with a good weight. Shirting fabric is too light, as I discovered during the trial run earlier. Maybe a nice washed, soft linen? The suggested fabrics are cottons and linen blends. With the dearth of fabric stores and fabric options, unless you have the perfect fabric and right height (I think you need to be at least 5' 10" to wear this and L's over 6 feet tall), this is going to be doomed. It is also a quirky, trendy style -- L thought she would like this, but it turned out differently than what she expected (even without the moons) and "not her. " C'est la vie - stepping outside your comfort zone is the fun and sheer entertainment value of fashion! Everytime we step up to the sewing machine it's a whole new game.

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Kenny Loggins, "Nobody's Fool" 4:18

Chilled Red Pepper Soup - Slow Cooking Thursday Crockpot Challenge

This was from the June 2008 issue of Family Circle magazine, page 202. Click here for the recipe.

First, you should really like red peppers, and you may not be as fond of them for awhile after trying this. And you better have a strainer ready. It sounded promising, but it looks like ultimately what's left over will go down the drain, hopefully not clogging it.

Despite the Kitchen Aid immersion blender, there were still sticks of rolled pepper skin found hidden the next day. Ick. It is supposed to be served chilled overnight. Do that, as warm it tastes awful - awful!. I strained it and will try a little again later today...third time's the charm, right? But I'm not optimistic and I won't be adding this to my recipe notebook.

Sneak Peek at this week's Slow Cooking Thursday & Crockpot Challenge

Yes, this same skillet pan did pull double duty this morning. I love it but it is is so big and awkward, I didn't want to go two rounds wrestling it back into the cupboard. Besides, these red peppers from Costco weren't long for this world. The red ones are always the first to go.

Chocolate, it's what's for breakfast!

Via Chocolate Chip Pancakes! Here's our current recipe, modified by several along the way over the years.

2 cups Bisquick Heart Smart mix

1 egg

1 1/4 cups skim milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/3 cup chocolate chips

Stir ingredients until blended, use a 1/4 cup measure and pour onto hot oiled skillet or griddle. Cook until bubbles break on surface, turn and cook until golden, about 3 minutes per batch. Makes 15-20 pancakes, depending how many are offerings to the pancake goddess. Seriously, I make them only 2-3 at a time. Any more and the goddess gets them.

You can freeze the extra, use within a month for a fast weekday morning breakfast. Freeze between sheets of wax paper and nuke for a minute or two depending upon your microwave.

Which Burda Pattern am I Sewing Today?

Burda 7822 - A jumpsuit for L. I'm combining Views A and B - the pleated bottom of View B with the bodice and two front pockets of View A. I made a trial run and found I had to lengthen the upper part 1 1/2 inches. I'm playing it safe and adding 2 1/2 inches, as I can easily adjust the difference in the shoulder seams before finishing.

I think everyone has a jumpsuit fashion cycle in their teens - here's mine circa 1976 --

Yum! Blue Diamond Natural Vanilla Bean Almonds

I saw the advertisement and found these at HEB for $3.59. They had three of the four varieties (no non-salt, odd?). These taste great! Not sicky-sweet, more like French Vanilla, satisfying your crunch and sweet tooth needs. 24 of them/1 ounce has 160 calories, 14g total fat, 1g sat fat, 25 mg soldium, 190mg potassium, 7g total carb, 3g fiber, 3g sugar, 6g protein.

Make It Mine - down for the count

Not only is Make It Mine the magazine ceasing publication, but the plug is also being pulled on their website and cool blog. So hurry on over there before June 30. Thank you to Sharon, for letting me know.

Today's (and Tomorrow's) Favorite iPod Workout Song

Mudcrutch, "Scare Easy" 4:34

I might as well post tomorrow's workout song, too, I love this CD!

Mudcrutch, "The Wrong Thing to Do" 4:09

That's Tom Petty! Be sure to download the bonus track version for $13.99 from iTunes. You'll get two videos (for this song and "The Wrong Thing to Do") "Special Place" is the bonus track. (Yes, you'll want it. Just pony-up the $2.)

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales

Independence Day Sale - July 3/6
Vogue patterns - $3.99
McCalls patterns - $1.99
50% off notions, interfacing, sewing and quilting cutting tools

July 10/12
Buttterick patterns - $1.99

July 17/19
Simplicity patterns - $1.99

Penzeys - Free Tuscan Sunset Italian Seasoning Coupon Code

The newest issue of Penzeys One has a coupon for a free 1/4 cup jar of Tuscan Sunset Salt Free Italian Seasoning. If you are ordering online, the code is 16539C. Offer expires August 31, 2008.

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Coldplay, "Viva la Vida" 4:04
(Probably a little late to the dance with this one, isn't it on everyone's iPod by now? My yoga teacher even uses it in class!)

Netflix Stars - The Comeback

4.75/5 stars Finally! A Netflix we can't wait to get the second helping/next DVD. L and I loved it, T didn't. We couldn't get over how much we liked Lisa Kudrow's wardrobe and how the colors just worked for her. Then again it is from HBO and the Sex and the City's Michael Patrick King. Once you get past the first episode-pilot, it gets much better and sucks you in. The stepdaughter is Luke's daughter from Gilmore Girls - quite a 180!

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Lenny Kravitz, "Where Are We Runnin'?" 2:41

Burda 8316 Young Fashion Teen View B Pants with View A Pockets

Repeat winner - this time Burda 8316 View B with the patch pockets of View A. I liked the pockets - they are self-lined and the top turns into a belt loop. L picked out an irridescent clear button (La Mode "Crystal" #47224) for the closure - we skipped the drawstring - and I kept the "Sour Apple" Maxi-Lock serger thread left in the serger from 7804 and 7802 to add a little fun to the seams and edges of the black and white print.

Garden Update - Plumeria

Felt Up at Jo-Ann's

The first time, I attributed it to a hyper clerk with a fiber fixation, but then it happened again yesterday, at another Jo-Ann's!

Apparently when you buy buttons or patterns or thread, AND buy fabric - it sets off their suspicion alarms, even if you directly walk 4 feet from the cutting table to the register.

The first time, hyper clerk literally patted down my fabric--
Yesterday, the clerk actually opened up my folded fabric--

Both times I just gave them a look, more incredulous than angry. Next time, I'll say something. Evidently someone has sold their soul for a card of buttons. Perhaps the new shoplifting profile, at Jo-Ann's at least, is a 40-something female...

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Uriah Heep, "Easy Livin'" 2:38

Sewing Hang Ups

Finally took down the preschool cork board and carbon-dated the stuff I had tacked on there at least back to L's toddler years. This looks much nicer (The Board Dudes, found at Target).

The Dog Days of Netflix continue

Fool's Gold - at least we let this one play through, hoping it would get better. Yes, nice abs, Matthew, and pretty scenery - but it is a snore bore. Suffice to say proof Matthew and Kate don't have the longevity pairing of Tom and Meg. 2/5

I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry -- Not as offensive as you might think, but still a little, more on the silly side... What was fun and also kept it in the DVD player was to see all who appeared in it -- including Richard Chamberlain!? Check Special Features, many were not credited. 2.5/5